Night, in the living room of the mansion's inner court.
In a room designed for relaxation, a half-moon hung high in the night sky beyond the large windows that let in ample daylight during the afternoon.
Leaving Audrey and Zoe standing in attendance within that room,
I was conducting mock battles.
The Magic Sword of Water, Leviathan.
The famous painting, Huwawa.
The giant golden bull, Behemoth.
And—the awakened fire dragon, Bahamut.
Linking those four to the Ring of Armor one by one, I pitted them against each other in single combat.
Ever since that day when leveling up occurred after making Leviathan fight Bahamut—who had still been Lutye back then—I had been having them clash with each other regularly.
At first, Leviathan had overwhelmingly dominated, but after awakening, Bahamut won almost every time.
Just as it did now: Bahamut's flames incinerated Leviathan's water swordsman, settling the match.
"Hmm."
"Is something the matter, Lord Noah?"
"My level went up."
"Oh, congratulations."
"Congratulations!"
Audrey and Zoe offered words of praise in quick succession.
――――――――――――
Name: Noah Ararat
Imperial Prince Minister of Justice
Gender: Male
Level: 10 / ∞
HP: D+E | Fire: E+A
MP: E+E | Water: D+S
Strength: D+E | Wind: E+F
Stamina: E+E | Earth: E+F
Intelligence: E+E | Light: E+C
Spirit: E+E | Dark: E+F
Speed: F+E
Dexterity: E+E
Luck: E+E
―――――――――――
The status in the corner of my vision had gained another level, bringing it to 10.
What I had learned from doing this on and off over these past three years was that even if I only rotated between the same opponents—meaning just these four—the pace merely slowed down; it didn't mean my level wouldn't increase at all.
I realized there was no need to frantically grind levels through conventional methods; having Bahamut and the others fight was more than enough.
"Still, you truly are incredible, Lord Noah."
"Hm?"
I looked at Audrey, who was standing there, with a look that asked, What is?
"I have never heard of such a method before."
"How much do you know about ways to raise your level?"
"Most of the basics, I believe. As a noble's wife, I learned everything necessary to support a husband heading into battle."
"I see."
Then it was just as Audrey said; she likely knew all standard—or rather, conventional—methods.
After all, she was the granddaughter of the Thunder Imperial Prince, of unmistakable and exalted noble lineage.
The truer the noble, the more they felt ashamed of ignorance; Audrey had certainly received an extensive education and possessed considerable knowledge.
And yet that same Audrey was saying she had "never heard of it."
I too had studied various subjects as someone born a noble—an imperial prince—but even so, I checked with her.
"What about a '+' being added to one's attributes?"
"I have never heard of that either. I believe it is unique to you, Lord Noah. It is proof that you are the sole chosen person in the entire world."
"You are incredible, Lord Noah!"
Zoe eagerly joined in on Audrey's praise.
Both looked at me with eyes brimming with absolute adoration, and being looked at that way didn't feel bad at all.
Well then, it was getting late. I'd do just one more battle and call it a night.
Knock, knock.
There was a knock on the door, and when I answered, Cecily the reception maid stepped inside.
"Pardon the late hour, Master. You have a visitor."
"At this hour? It's already late, so perhaps tomorrow—"
"No, it's fine."
I cut Audrey off before she could finish.
"I will see them."
I stood up and left the living room.
Passing from the inner court into the outer court, I was guided not to the parlor, but straight to the entrance hall.
There stood a man who looked thoroughly worn out.
His hair was disheveled, and his eyes were hollow and sunken.
As I drew near, the sharp stench of sweat stung my nose.
"Who are you?"
"I was commanded by Lady Cindy to deliver this."
With those words, the man offered a box.
A box meant for delivering top-secret messages to me.
Cindy Alan.
Byron Alan's adopted daughter. Now, nearly ten years after our meeting at that banquet, she was close to twenty years old and assisting with Byron's business.
She was capable and fiercely loyal, which was why I had entrusted that box to her.
"Is the situation that serious?"
Seeing the state the man was in, I asked.
"I rode three relay horses to exhaustion getting here."
"I see. Zoe, reward this man. Bring a hundred rien."
"Understood."
Head Maid Zoe, who had followed behind me, bowed in acknowledgment.
She then escorted the man away.
Remaining right where I stood, I opened the box.
"—-!"
Inside was a brief note.
His Majesty has collapsed from illness.
Just that single sentence.
☆
The next morning, after having breakfast served by Audrey in the grand dining room as usual, Cecily came to me once again.
"Master, a eunuch has arrived from the royal palace."
"So they're here..."
Frowning slightly, I stood up.
"Could it be regarding yesterday's matter?"
Audrey asked.
"Most likely."
"I see... Even so, it is incredible that it reached you faster than official notice."
"That's why I entrusted the box to Cindy."
Besides, this was something I had learned from His Majesty.
Having experienced it firsthand so many times, I had learned just how vital the freshness of information was.
Even this was still far behind His Majesty's network, but eventually...
With those thoughts in mind, I headed toward the parlor in the outer court of the mansion.
Standing there was a surprising figure.
"Cruz?! You?"
"Yes. I bear an imperial decree."
In a situation like this between an imperial prince like me and a eunuch like Cruz, Cruz would normally have dropped to his knees in greeting. However, Cruz had stated it was an "imperial decree."
In other words, he was acting as His Majesty's representative—while proclaiming an imperial decree, he embodied His Majesty himself.
Therefore, I dropped to one knee instead and bowed my head to him.
"'For the one month until We return, Noah is appointed Imperial Prince Prime Minister. Everything other than military affairs is entrusted to him'—so it has been commanded."
"By your command."
I responded and rose to my feet.
In turn, Cruz immediately dropped to both knees before me and lowered his head.
"It has been a long time, Wise Imperial Prince."
"Please stand. More importantly, why did His Majesty appoint me? Did something happen to him?"
I had already received word from Cindy yesterday, but since that was unofficial, I played dumb.
"His Majesty is in poor health."
"What?"
"It is what one might call summer fatigue."
"Summer fatigue?"
"However, having collapsed once, and given his advanced age, with the recommendation of Court Physician Good, it was decided that he would spend a month recuperating at a summer resort."
"I see..."
I felt a slight sense of relief.
It seemed his stay at the summer resort was merely a precautionary measure.
That was also evident from the fact that while he had handed over almost all government affairs, he had refused to relinquish military authority.
"His Majesty also stated, 'To you, who have observed Us so closely, We can entrust this.'"
"..."
The weight behind those words pricked me like a thorn.
Observed Us so closely—that wasn't meant literally.
He probably knew about Cindy's box as well.
"As expected of the Wise Imperial Prince. The only one in whom His Majesty places such profound trust is you, Your Highness."
"Don't flatter me. In any case, I understand. What about the administrative duties?"
"He has instructed that you remain here in Almeria, as arrangements have been made to forward all documents directly to you."
"Understood. Zoe, bring five thousand rien for Cruz."
After seeing Cruz off, I let out a long sigh: phew.
Then, regaining my composure—I noticed.
Until just a moment ago, I had been completely preoccupied with news of His Majesty's collapse and my appointment as Imperial Prince Prime Minister, so I hadn't realized.
――――――――――――
Name: Noah Ararat
Imperial Prince Prime Minister
Gender: Male
Level: 10 / ∞
HP: D+SSS | Fire: E+SSS
MP: E+SSS | Water: D+SSS
Strength: D+SSS | Wind: E+SSS
Stamina: E+SSS | Earth: E+SSS
Intelligence: E+SSS | Light: E+SSS
Spirit: E+SSS | Dark: E+SSS
Speed: F+SSS
Dexterity: E+SSS
Luck: E+SSS
―――――――――――
To my utter astonishment, my status had transformed into something unprecedented.
The "+" modifiers trailing behind my innate abilities.
The "+" values that scaled with the number of people under my command had all become "SSS."
Shocked, I had Zoe cast her magic on me upon her return, converting it into an actual status display visible to others.
――――――――――――
Name: Noah Ararat
Imperial Prince Prime Minister
Gender: Male
Level: 10 / ∞
HP: SSS | Fire: SSS
MP: SSS | Water: SSS
Strength: SSS | Wind: SSS
Stamina: SSS | Earth: SSS
Intelligence: SSS | Light: SSS
Spirit: SSS | Dark: SSS
Speed: SSS
Dexterity: SSS
Luck: SSS
―――――――――――
"M-Master... this is incredible..."
Zoe was shocked out of her wits, staring in utter disbelief.
The "+" bonuses had surged exponentially all at once.
It was just like when my Water attribute jumped to S upon receiving a fief at birth.
It was clearer than day that this had happened because His Majesty had temporarily entrusted the entire empire to me for one month.
"An entire nation, whole and complete, is a treasure in itself..."
At the prospect of a future that was well within reach, my heart raced with excitement.